What is a SNAP?

Our SNAP (Spay/Neuter Assistance Program) models itself after many well-known animal rescues to assist in the communities we are rescuing from. Rather than continue to pull animals long-term from the same area, we also want to work to diminish the overpopulation by spaying and neutering animals in the community. Research efforts have shown that the only way to work towards a solution to overpopulation is by spaying and neutering the animals in the community!

What does this mean for you?

If you’ve taken on a SNAP animal, thank you. While we know it’s hard not seeing them adopted, please know they do have a home where they came from. We try to have SNAP animals for less time in care as they do have a home but sometimes if transport arrangements can not be made, we do have to keep them longer. You will care for them as usual and we’ll let you know when we have a ride home for them to catch! We spay/neuter, vaccinate, deworm and microchip all of our SNAP’s before sending them home.

What kind of animals can be a SNAP?

Typically, we see moms with pups or pregnant females come in as SNAP’s. The owners have realized that they cannot care for the puppies and want to ensure they are safe and well taken care of along with Mama dog. We keep all of the puppies to be spayed/neutered and adopted out, and spay/vaccinate Mama before she heads home. We also work to do spay/neuters on animals in the community even without pups. Financially and space-wise, we can only do so many of these per month but we are very proud of how many we’ve been able to do since opening!

This dog is skinny/matted/sad/etc., why are we sending it back?

This is the question we get the most. Moms with pups will always look skinny coming in - just like humans, they give everything they have to their pups. We will fatten them up before sending them home! Please keep in mind these animals are typically outdoors for the most part and have not only adapted to that lifestyle but often absolutely love it. The joy we see from the animals when we return them to their owners is amazing and let’s us know how important the SNAP program is! Yes, these animals live different lifestyles than us but different doesn’t always mean worse. If you have concerns about your animal, please chat with us. We do speak with owners and educate them about proper ownership and care needed for animals. We also work with frontliners who continue to check in on them after we’ve sent them home and send us updates!

I don’t think I can foster a SNAP animal, what do I do?

That’s ok, we get it! We would never “make” you foster anything you’re not comfortable with. We let every foster know before they take on a SNAP animal that they will be going home, so if this is an issue, please let us know and we’ll send to a different foster. If you have any questions or want to learn more about the program, please feel free to reach out at any time!

I really want to adopt my SNAP animal, can I?

Unfortunately, no. Remember that our SNAP animals have a family waiting for them at home, often with kids and other animals who would really miss them. Sometimes, the owners do decide to surrender before we take them back or shortly after they go home. In that case, we always contact the previous foster first to see if they would like to take them in again.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us to discuss.